Professor transformed business program at Chico State

CHICO — It was a time of change when the late professor Paul Kinney went to work at Chico State University in 1968.

The campus was being transformed from a state teachers college to a state university.

Chico State hired Kinney to head its newly created Division of Business. Kinney worked to turn the division into an accredited College of Business in 1972.

"They had to build a program in each department — such as finance and marketing, accounting and management," said retired professor Elmer Dickson, who taught finance and business administration at Chico State. "They set up each program and hired the people who would be needed."

Dickson added, "Paul could persevere. He was very focused."

Kinney died on Nov. 14 in Chico. He was 87.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Selvester's Cafe on the Chico State campus. Those attending can park in the new parking structure or in any campus parking lots.

Through the 1970s, Kinney served as dean of the College of Business. He returned to classroom teaching and research in 1980. He retired in 1986.

Staff writer Larry Mitchell can be reached at 896-7759, lmitchell@chicoer.com, or on Twitter @LarryMitchell7.